The Value of a STEM Degree

Pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) will open a world of career paths to you, while closing very few doors. A STEM degree is your opportunity to be a part of the major technological breakthroughs and revolutions of our time. Your training will also be invaluable in the business world, where survival often depends on the capability to innovate within a rapidly-changing technological landscape. With the critical skills and fundamental understanding which STEM training provides, you will be highly sought after in whatever career you choose.

Science Career Pathways

General Science

Any science degree will train you in valuable skills of analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, statistics and IT skills. Besides expertise in your chosen field, it will endow you with transferable-skills which may give you an edge over other candidates when looking for positions in the financial sector, technology consultancy, management, journalism, business, patent law, politics and art.

Physics

Image via Hubble ESA on Flickr.

Physicists are interested in the BIG questions: Whatis the universe? How did it come into existence? How is it evolving? What are the building blocks of matter? What are the forces binding it together? All employers value the skills that physics develops: an ability to grasp things quickly, a determination to find coherentanswers, along with problem-solving, analytical skills, IT skills and very strong mathematical skills.

Chemistry

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Chemisty is known as the ‘practical science’. As a chemist you will learn how to transform everyday materials into amazing things. Some chemists work on cures for cancer while others monitor the ozone protecting us from the sun. Others discover new materials for insulating our homes in winter or new textiles with amazing strength or waterproof properties. They may study the origin of our senses of taste, smell and vision. They may work in the cosmetic industry developing formulations for keeping our hair or skin healthy. They can extract useful compounds from rare plants, and then discover the principles behind what makes the compound so effective. They can work in water purification or solar energy. If you have to choose one scientist to take with you to a desert island, make them a chemist!

Biology

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Biologists are interested in living things, including how they work and how they can be kept healthy. They study the vast diversity of nature, develop cures for diseases and work on conserving the natural world for future generations. Biologists apply scientific principles to develop and enhance products, tools, and technological advances in fields such as agriculture, food science, and medicine. Nature contains the most complex and fascinating machines known, and many of the phenomena and behaviour of biological systems are still not understood. This attracts other scientists, such as physicists and chemists, to pursue biological research after their primary degree. Biology is a rapidly evolving science and biologists are true explorers on the frontier of knowledge.

Engineering Career Pathways

As an engineer you will learn apply your understanding of science and technology to make a difference in the real world. If you want to design and create products which will improve people’s lives, engineering is for you.

Civil and Structural Engineering

VIctoria Falls Bridge. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

As a civil or structural engineer you will design, construct and maintain the physical and naturally-built environment, including roads, bridges, canals, dams and skyscrapers.

Major employers: Any major technology company, manufacturer or research centre, renewable energy companies, communication companies etc.

Environmental engineering

As an environmental engineer you will apply your understanding of natural systems to find creative solutions to pressures facing our environment (such as population growth, development and climate change).

Maths Career Pathways

Mandelbrot Set. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

As a mathematician you will be endowed with skills valuable in almost every industry. Mathematicians are fundamental problem solvers. They can build models to help explain and predict the behaviour of financial markets. They can use mathematical methods to discover the optimal decisions to maximize profits or minimize costs. They can develop security systems for ATM cards and computer passwords. They can handle large datasets and extract conclusions on consumer behaviour, be it online search patterns or user demographics.